6 Tax Season Tips for Small Business Entrepreneurs

Ah, tax season. I think it is safe to say that most people do not look forward to this time of year. Hopefully, these tips specific to small business owners based in the U.S. will help you feel cool and confident about the upcoming deadlines.

1. Know Your Small Business Legal Structure

Many self-employed individuals operate as a sole proprietorship with no formal, separate legal entity. Or they may opt for a single member LLC, which is considered a “disregarded entity” for income tax purposes unless an election is made to be taxed as a corporation. In either case, your net business income (all revenue less tax deductions) will be reported on Schedule C of Federal Form 1040—your individual income tax return. The deadline for the 2016 Form 1040 is April 18, 2017, but can be extended to October 15. If you want to hire an outside tax preparer, begin looking now…several certified public accountants (CPAs) and enrolled agents (EAs) adhere to an earlier, internal deadline for new client relationships.

If your business is organized as a C corporation, S corporation or partnership, the regular federal filing deadline for 2016 returns is March 15, 2017, but can be extended to September 15. Tax filings for these entities are more complicated, so it is recommended that you hire a CPA with experience in preparing these returns. Please establish a relationship now if you don’t already have one with a reputable accountant.

2. Get Tax Information Organized

Regardless of legal ownership, get all tax data in one place. If you use a bookkeeping program like QuickBooks or Xero, ensure your 2016 records are updated and in order. Income and withdrawals should be classified appropriately. If you don’t know how to classify a transaction, bring it to your accountant’s attention with a simple “Unidentified Expense” or “Ask My Accountant” category. (For more from this author, see: Have You Started Year-End Tax Planning?)

ProConnect Tax Online integrates with QuickBooks Online. If your tax preparer has this program and oversees or has access to your QuickBooks Online file, they can more efficiently prepare the business tax return, which may lower your fee!

3. Deduct up to $5,000 of Start-up Costs

Was 2016 your first year in business? If so, you can deduct up to $5,000 of organizational and start-up costs. Any amount exceeding $5,000 should be capitalized and amortized.

4. Understand the Home Office Deduction

Rent payments for business leases are clearly deductible, but what if you run the business out of your home? The key is regular and exclusive use of the home office. Under the simplified method, multiply the square footage of your home office space (maximum 300 square feet) by $5.00. Therefore, the max deduction under this method is $1,500. The regular, more complex method considers the percentage of your home dedicated to an office. (For related reading, see: How to Qualify for the Home-Office Tax Deduction.)

5. Write off Business Meals

There is usually confusion surrounding business meals. If you are the sole owner and employee, any business meals should be classified as such, but you’ll only get to deduct half the cost on the tax return. If you are an employer and treat your team to lunch or dinner, you can deduct the full cost of the meal. Always think about the purpose behind the meal:

Promotional with clients or prospects – 50%

Morale-building with employees – 100%

6. Be Cognizant of Overlooked Deductions

Auto, health insurance, interest on small-business loans, payroll taxes, office furniture and marketing are just a few of the available tax deductions for small businesses. Many of these expenses, when personally incurred for employees, are not deductible. In other words, it pays to be a business owner!

For auto deductions, tracking business mileage separate from personal mileage is essential. It would be too difficult to explain each tax deduction in detail here, so consult a general online guide for more information.

Final Considerations

Even if you hire an accountant to assist with business tax compliance, you assume ultimate responsibility for tax filings. Any 2017 tax cuts won’t apply to the 2016 tax year, so take advantage of tax write-offs. When in doubt, consult a tax professional with the expertise to maximize your deductions. Oh, and try not to stress too much!

Investopedia does not provide tax, investment, or financial services. The information available through Investopedia’s Advisor Insights service is provided by third parties and solely for informational purposes on an “as is” basis at user’s sole risk. The information is not meant to be, and should not be construed as advice or used for investment purposes. Investopedia makes no guarantees as to the accurateness, quality, or completeness of the information and Investopedia shall not be responsible or liable for any errors, omissions, inaccuracies in the information or for any user’s reliance on the information. User is solely responsible for verifying the information as being appropriate for user’s personal use, including without limitation, seeking the advice of a qualified professional regarding any specific financial questions a user may have. While Investopedia may edit questions provided by users for grammar, punctuation, profanity, and question title length, Investopedia is not involved in the questions and answers between advisors and users, does not endorse any particular financial advisor that provides answers via the service, and is not responsible for any claims made by any advisor. Investopedia is not endorsed by or affiliated with FINRA or any other financial regulatory authority, agency, or association.